Serving the Community: Results of the 1991 Piedmont Virginia Community College Community Survey. Research Report Number 4-91.

Head, Ronald B.

In spring 1991, Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) administered a community survey to residents of its service region--Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. The purpose of the survey was to determine how much citizens knew about PVCC and its services; how satisfied they were with these services; and what additional services they would like the college to offer. A total of 6,026 surveys were sent to every tenth household in the service region. Study findings, based on a 10.7% response rate, included the following: (1) males, minorities, and people under 25 tended to be underrepresented among survey respondents in comparison to service region population characteristics; (2) over 90% of the respondents were aware that PVCC serves the entire service region, and over 80% were aware that classes are available at locations throughout the region; (3) 69% had attended PVCC; (4) 75% had learned about PVCC courses, programs, and services from class schedules mailed by the college to their homes; (5) proximity to the college had little bearing on either awareness of or attendance at the college; (6) when asked what services and course options would encourage attendance at PVCC, respondents seemed less interested in traditional college services such as student activities or counseling, and more interested in a wider range of course offerings provided at additional locations and more convenient times; and (7) over 50% of the respondents were extremely satisfied with their educational experience at the college. Data tables, open-ended responses, and the survey instrument are included. (PAA)